Eric Avila, the UCSB midfielder who helped lead the Gauchos to the 2006 NCAA College Cup title, is close to signing a deal with Major League Soccer.
According to MLS sources, the skillful midfielder is set to forego his senior season of college and is considering a Generation adidas contract that would make him one of the most highly-coveted players in the 2008 MLS Draft. He had been rumored to be planning a move to Argentina, but sources say Avila is now closing in on a deal with MLS.
Avila was just recently called in to the U.S. Under-23 national team’s upcoming camp that is preparing for U.S. Olympic qualifying in March.
Avila scored the game-winning goal in the 2006 NCAA College Cup final and has been considered one of the most dangerous attacking midfielders in college for the past two seasons.
If he does sign he could be a possibility to San Jose at No. 1 overall in the MLS Draft, but more likely, to Real Salt Lake at No. 3. RSL needs an attacking midfielder and while Avila is young (he turned 20 in November), he has the skill to contribute right away. I can’t imagine Colorado passing him up at No. 5. That is unless Fernando Clavijo still believes Mehdi Ballouchy will be a player.
(Apology to RSL fans. I’ll blame new-site-itis for forgetting just how bad the Real Salt Lake defense was. As good as Avila is, RSL does have Argentine playmaker Javier Morales and would probably be better off drafting a defender like Julius James or Andy Iro, who would look pretty good playing alongside Nathan Sturgis).
What do you think of Avila signing with the league? Is he No. 1 overall pick material? Have you seen him play? Should he have stayed in school? Share your thoughts below.
stop hating on eric…he is a very good soccer player and he deserves this and much more!! and he should be the number 1 pick!
I’ve seen him play both at SB and for Ventura County Fusion and he would seriously be an asset to any team. Size doesn’t matter for him. He moves too fast and is too smart. Good luck to him wherever he ends up. We’ll miss watching him in SoCal.
yo I think that he should be number one pick my bro work so hard for every thing and if you dont think he can make it then just cheek his back round
If he has skills his size doesnt matter, this is soccer not the nfl or nba.
Ryan,
Last I checked Beasley was performing well and holding his own in Scotland.
And before you go dropping the “yeah, where is he now” comment his injury had nothing to do with “frailty”. There aren’t too many knees that would have survived that impact.
Size shouldn’t inhibit a player as long as the skills are there. I think I recall a little player named Lothar Matthaus that was 5’8 155. Amado Guevara wasn’t that far off either.
anybody would be better than mehdi-ocre ballouchy.
This little boy is going to get broken in the MLS. He is 5’9 150 what good player that size ever did anything. Maradonna and Messi are 5’6 150 this kid is a poll…waste of a post Ives
I’m still irritated that draft selections are based on when you get knocked out of the playoffs..
I think he would fit well with the Crew. Doubt Sigi would take him though as he has shown a preference for more seasoned players.
Your last post had me thinking that trading out of the top spot for a package of number ones from LA via Houston was a good idea.
Now I read this and want to keep the pick. I’ve watched that kid play a lot – he’s very good.
The only hitch is that we would be better off with a killer forward…assuming there is one.
He’s a good player, but not in my top 3.
This is a defender heavy draft.
Ives, you are completely on fire with the info today.
Unreal!
Don’t know from Avila, but I do know Ballouchy is not the answer to anything. (Fan bois to the contrary …)